Taylor Swift Donates $100K to 2-Year-Old Cancer Patient—and Swifties Take It Even Further

When 2-year-old Lilah was rushed to the hospital after a seizure at 18 months old, her family could not have anticipated the long road ahead. Doctors discovered a mass on her brain—a stage 4 tumor that required immediate surgery. After the operation, Lilah was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer that, according to her family’s GoFundMe page, affected only 58 families in the United States last year.

This heartbreaking story reached international superstar Taylor Swift, who donated $100,000 to support Lilah’s treatment. Swift included a heartfelt message with her gift: “Sending the biggest hug to my friend, Lilah! Love, Taylor.”

Lilah’s Friend Taylor

The connection between Swift and the toddler began when Lilah’s mother, Katelynn Smoot, shared a TikTok video on October 8 showing her daughter listening to Swift’s music during treatment and referring to the singer as her “friend.” The post quickly went viral, capturing the attention of Swift herself.

@standwithlilah I didn’t know they were friends 😂 @Taylor Swift @Taylor Nation #fateofopheliataylorswift #TLOASG #taylorswift ♬ original sound - The Smoots

Just days later, Swift surprised Lilah’s family by making the generous $100,000 donation directly to their GoFundMe campaign. Her note to Lilah quickly captured attention online, with fans celebrating the artist’s kindness and compassion.

A Wave of Gratitude

Soon after, Katelynn shared a follow-up TikTok expressing her deep gratitude: “We now can just focus on being here with our girl. Truly we are so incredibly grateful.”

@standwithlilah I cannot say thank you enough. I’m truly in shock. This means we don’t have to worry about anything other than Lilah. Truly such a blessing. Thank you @Taylor Swift ♬ original sound - The Smoots

Swift’s act of kindness had a ripple effect far beyond her own donation. After news of her generosity spread, fans around the world, known as Swifties, began contributing to Lilah’s GoFundMe, flooding the page with donations and messages of encouragement. Thanks to this outpouring of support, the campaign quickly surpassed its $100,000 goal, reaching more than $322,000. 

On October 19, Katelynn posted another thank-you video on TikTok, sharing the depth of her family’s gratitude and emotion. “I have been crying for 48 hours. It's not even just the money, it's the amount of people who have seen our story. It's the amount of people that have donated to a random stranger that they don't even know.” She continued, “You have done so much for our family, thank you.” 

@standwithlilah

Brb crying right now

♬ original sound - The Smoots

Community Support

The overwhelming response highlights the strength of community and the kindness that can arise when people come together to support a child in need. Swift’s gesture not only provided vital help for Lilah’s care but also mobilized thousands of fans to make a difference.

For Lilah’s family, the kindness of Swift, her fans, and the dedicated nurses and healthcare team caring for Lilah has offered not only financial relief but emotional strength and hope. As Lilah continues her treatment, her story stands as a touching reminder of how compassion—from caregivers, nurses, communities, and even unexpected allies—can make an extraordinary impact.

🤔Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!